An algorithm for the quality checking of wind speeds measured at sea against measured wave spectral energy

The purpose of this study is to provide a quality-checking tool for the evaluation of wind-wave data from buoys deployed by the National Data Buoy Center (NDBC). In particular, an algorithm is sought that will compare measured wind speed with spectral data in a chosen range. In the past, anemometers have been known to fail without failing completely, returning data that are bad, but not obviously bad. The aim here is to provide an automated test that will flag such data, as well as detecting certain malfunctions of the wave-measuring system. Towards this end, large quantities of data are studied and several approaches to the problem are described before an algorithm is finally recommended. The algorithm takes account of physical properties of the ocean (as observed from this data set) as well as the statistical relationships determined between wind speed and wave energy. The implementation and testing of the algorithm are described.